Podcast Episodes

Allowing Purusha to extricate itself from the mindless play of Prakrit. Sept 27, 1987

Season 3 Episode 126

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, discusses the ancient Indian philosophy of Samkhya Yoga as a framework for spiritual observation. It includes the dual principles of Purusha (the essence of the self) an…

Published on 4 days, 10 hours ago

Plato, art and spiritual growth.  Sep 5, 1987

Season 3 Episode 125

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores the concept of freedom through the conquest of self.

Per the Dhammapada, we should direct straying thoughts. The path to happiness is through quieting these elu…

Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago

The Middle Way—between the world of appearance and the inner world of consciousness. Aug 29, 1987

Season 3 Episode 124

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee draws on the Dhammapada to emphasize a core principle of spiritual success: vigilance, or watching. The fool is careless and enslaved by desire. The master has firm resol…

Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago

How do you go in? Simply stop going out. Aug 2, 1987

Season 3 Episode 123

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, continues her discussion of the Dhammapada.

She warns us against mistaking the false for the true, urging us to look into our hearts and follow our true natures. Spiritua…

Published on 1 month ago

The meanings of various Buddhist terms, practices & traditions. July 26, 1987

Season 3 Episode 122

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explores the meaning of the Dhammapada -Twin Verses.

She discusses the importance of thought and self-mastery in shaping one's experience. We are what we think. All that …

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Dogen: “Not knowing is most intimate.” July 5, 1987

Season 3 Episode 121

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, explains the story of Dogen Zenji, the founder of the Soto Zen school in Japan. One master says, “Not knowing is most intimate.”

Dogen’s question: if we are already Buddh…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

How you form your ego—and can ultimately overcome it. Jun 28, 1987

Season 3 Episode 120

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, tells a parable about a powerful Chinese prime minister, who was a devoted Zen student. When the minister asked his master, "how does Zen explain egotism?" the master in…

Published on 2 months ago

Zen and Socrates. Jun 21, 1987

Season 3 Episode 119

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, argues that most people waste their lives playing superficial games and are deceived by their own minds. They fail to engage in the urgent, life and death work of knowin…

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago

Instructions for Koan study. And true understanding & non-discrimination. May 31, 1987

Season 3 Episode 118

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the story of master Joshu who offers cups of tea to the various monks, illustrating the idea of how distinction keeps us from seeing the world as it is. When he…

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Instructions for Koan study. And true understanding & non-discrimination. May 31, 1987

Season 3 Episode 118

Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, recounts the story of master Joshu who offers cups of tea to the various monks, illustrating the idea of how distinction keeps us from seeing the world as it is. When he…

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago